Writing

If you would like a formulaic way of thinking of an essay, below are Mr. O's ideas. 

THOUGHT: Keep in mind that this type of writing is about communicating ideas and your argument.  The argument is difficult to describe so describe as simply as possible.  Your thesis is supposed to simply state the entire argument of the essay.  That is very hard to do.  For this class, the thesis is the art.  The argument is the art. For this class, do not use flowery language or idiomatic language in your writing.  No art in the writing. Just simply state exactly what you mean. (And I will argue that there is a lot or art required to simply say exactly what you mean.) - Refer to lesson: Art and Theses. 

DO NOT write something like "this essay will be about"

DO NOT write in first person (never write "I", "we", "us") - you don't know who is reading it aloud.

DO NOT write in 2nd person (never write "you") - you don't know who is reading it.

DO NOT write idioms ("a blessing in disguise", "a drop in the bucket", "a piece of cake", "all in the same boat") - just say exactly what you mean. 

DO NOT use abbreviations (unless it is like "UN" and you define it early in the essay. Example: "United Nations (hereafter referred to as UN)")

DO NOT change tenses. 

DO NOT be vague.  "Some sort of way," "Kinda," "Sorta," "things," "stuff," (say what "things" or what "stuff" or what "sort of way") 

DO use citations that follow MLA

Intro 

• Intro / Hook

• Thesis 

• Describe the situation or context for reader (5 sentences 5 Ws) 

• Transition Sentence

Body (x3) 

• • Mini-thesis #1 (addresses the thesis - reader must know this is addressing the thesis)

    • Support with In-text Citation

      • Describe with 1-2 sentences

      • Describe how this addresses the mini-thesis ("this means ________")

    • Support with In-text Citation Quote

      • Describe with 1-2 sentences

      • Describe how this addresses the mini-thesis ("this means ________")

    • Support with In-text Citation

      • Describe with 1-2 sentences

      • Describe how this addresses the mini-thesis ("this means ________")

  • Argue why the above 3 supports answer the mini-thesis

  • Conclude mini thesis 

Conclusion

• • Restate Thesis

  • Argue how the 3 mini theses answer the thesis